PropertyInvesting.com | SandraL | Activity https://www.propertyinvesting.com/members/sandral/activity/ Activity feed for SandraL. Sun, 12 Apr 2026 07:53:45 +0000 https://buddypress.org/?v=2.8.1 en-US 30 hourly 2 11d0fdf4a8039bbb0f6d01ef5beb9695 SandraL replied to the topic To Buy Or Not To Buy in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4404368-to-buy-or-not-to-buy-9/#post-4653317 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 01:40:53 +0000 Hi Ajago5,As pointed out above, you can find data that the Australian property market is overvalued or undervalued, depending on what you look at. You are right to be cautious and not blindly jump in. But the obvious risks associated with such a huge investment in uncertain economic times like these can be mitigated. I would suggest the…[Read more]

]]> df788ad580c589a1b9594ee3c4edcf96 SandraL replied to the topic Partly developed property - buy or run? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4404559-partly-developed-property-buy-or-run/#post-4654667 Sun, 04 Sep 2011 00:48:13 +0000 Hi W0mbat,agree with the above comments, however it could be a good opportunity to negotiate the price further down, as the seller obviously needs to sell desperately. Before you can even consider it though, I would suggest getting a very trustworthy builder in (a family friend, relative, or somebody that has worked with a family member etc), to…[Read more]

]]> 23a6252eb3ac3957dc93450ab78b763b SandraL replied to the topic Free Property Advertising Websites and great rental lead generators in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4393388-free-property-advertising-websites-and-great-rental-lead-generators/#post-4588439 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:51:50 +0000 Hi scarecrow,<moderator: delete advertising> Dogmersfield, your website appears to be a REA's website in Chicago, so why would you use gumtree to look for apartments (presumably in Australia?)? 

]]> 1c7dfa06b5a27b503acb6d9741b91c72 SandraL replied to the topic Dysart, Queensland - Your Comments Please in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4403524-dysart-queensland-your-comments-please/#post-4647038 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:41:44 +0000 Hi Property Investor1,The area is definitely booming and worth a look in terms of investing. Just a word of caution on buying developments off the plan in that area, as we've seen and heard of a number of developments taking significantly longer (by up to a year or even two years) than originally planned.   

]]> c79475f92163c7e9d484e25bea0f4e0f SandraL replied to the topic Bathroom Reno - Shower/bath advice in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4404116-bathroom-reno-showerbath-advice/#post-4651105 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 01:18:44 +0000 Hi wisepearl,Another thing to consider is the size of yor hot water system. If it is 50l or less, then putting in a bath makes little sense, as you won't be able to fill it with hot water. Otherwise a bath is something a lot of tenants will value.  

]]> 57b96fec68b46132702cb0d288ec9726 SandraL replied to the topic Risk of defaulting owners in a body corporate in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4404516-risk-of-defaulting-owners-in-a-body-corporate/#post-4654323 Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:31:55 +0000 Owners not paying their levies usually does not become a major issue, as there is a legal process for their recovery as mentioned above. You will find that most owners will eventually sell their unit when they are really unable to pay the levies in order to avoid bankruptcy. I have never heard of a strata manager walking away from their job be…[Read more]

]]> a603167743415209821a817400d63368 SandraL replied to the topic Investing in low income areas in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4403409-investing-in-low-income-areas/page/3/#post-4646317 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:54:07 +0000 I would recommend the western suburbs in Sydney, eg Liverpool, Campbelltown and beyond. You get relatively high rental yields, low vacancies and projected population grwoth over the next 20 years. The key to mitigating your risk of bad tenants is to add value to the property you buy (renovations) and create something that is better than the…[Read more]

]]> 97a9665f7b26701c31a03b27e591daee SandraL replied to the topic Carpet and Lino VS Floorboards in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4402415-carpet-and-lino-vs-floorboards/#post-4639442 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:40:49 +0000 G0biin,Why wouldn't you tile the kitchen? They are more durable than floor boards, washable and you can't burn a hole into them. Of course the tenants could crack them, but that is not that common, from what I've seen.Floor boards will show scratches. Generally speaking, the darker you go, the harder the wood gets, but if it still gets scratched,…[Read more]

]]> 326df7d3ee14b868fc07a807370e75ed SandraL replied to the topic In-room auctions? in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4393503-in-room-auctions/#post-4589014 Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:30:56 +0000 In-house auctions are fairly common in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney. They have their advantages and dis-advantages, but they are definitely very good for doing market research. Even if you don't sell your property this way, it would be well worth your time to attand a couple of these auctions. In a couple of hours, you can get a pretty good…[Read more]

]]> f3bcf20b5377d90017b81f7260db5a7a SandraL replied to the topic Investing in Sydney, NSW in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4404388-investing-in-sydney-nsw/#post-4653426 Sat, 06 Aug 2011 06:26:25 +0000 Everyday32,If it's cash flow positive property you are after, then I think it will be difficult to just buy that in Sydney. You will most likely have to renovate or do other things to the property to make it cash flow positive. 

]]> ba823aabd6db1a92da9cf701434c8227 SandraL replied to the topic Where and How do others research for properties . in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4404083-where-and-how-do-others-research-for-properties/#post-4650887 Sat, 02 Jul 2011 05:18:17 +0000 Hi slowachiever,A good starting point are magazines like 'Australian Property Investor' which is published monthly and has growth rates and yields by suburb at the back of the magazine. Quite a few of our customers  (who are all property investors) read these. 

]]> 60fb942bbc6a5b68039072f222131795 SandraL replied to the topic Vendor refusing to leave the property in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4403911-vendor-refusing-to-leave-the-property/page/2/#post-4649604 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 07:49:04 +0000 Hi Terry,I know of two cases in NSW where someone who was owed money by the owner of a property has gone and lodged a caveat. Neither of these two people were related to the owner or had an 'equitable interest'. One had a contract signed by a deceased relative of the property owner committing to investing funds in a business, the other was owed a…[Read more]

]]> 90cfff8b3ce8e14c3b394e6777a83d6e SandraL replied to the topic At what point do you re-value after reno? in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4402479-at-what-point-do-you-re-value-after-reno/#post-4639814 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 04:10:06 +0000 The best time to have a valuation done (subject to all the comments above and the banks willingness to do it), is when your property is looking it's best, which is right after the reno. So make sure you have completely finished the renovation (and don't have little bits here and there still to be done) and cleared out all the rubbish, tools, etc f…[Read more]

]]> 7e71b401cdd25b8e0c85394008290cc8 SandraL replied to the topic Capital Gains Tax in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4403927-capital-gains-tax-48/#post-4649699 Sun, 26 Jun 2011 03:47:31 +0000 Hi Jason,In case that you don't move back in and just keep renting out the unit, there is the following to consider. As the current valuation will be used as the base for calculating capital growth from now until you sell the property one day (if you do so), you should try to get the highest valuation possible now. This could mean getting a c…[Read more]

]]> 57444b706a37971717e89b369e0bab11 SandraL replied to the topic Privately Managing Property in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4403708-privately-managing-property/#post-4648366 Fri, 24 Jun 2011 06:28:32 +0000 Hi MrProperty.We provide listings on realestate.com.au as part of our rental package. You also get an ad on domain, and a number of other services for $199. Feel free to message me if you need more information 

]]> 517fc33d02f7a8db12cadb466464c06c SandraL replied to the topic Help! I got offered a potential Option Agreement - I don't know much about them? in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401858-help-i-got-offered-a-potential-option-agreement-i-dont-know-much-about-them/#post-4636037 Sun, 14 Nov 2010 07:49:51 +0000 Hi Kelly,Have they just offered you what you are currently asking for the property – $450k? In any normal option deal, the offer should be well above the current asking price to compensate the seller for the time until settlement, which is usually at least 12 months. I would think if these guys were serious, they would have to offer you at least $…[Read more]

]]> 435182627404d6f1391358c86fb6ba7e SandraL replied to the topic IO v PI loan explanation in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401304-io-v-pi-loan-explanation/#post-4632526 Thu, 30 Sep 2010 07:16:31 +0000 Hi Ben + Mina,in principle, yes that is how it would work, but you would have to check with your bank whether they charge any fees for this or if there is a minimum re-payment amount, although that is unlikely. You would, however, incur costs for changing your existing PI loan to IO, so it is better to do this when you set up your mortgage in t…[Read more]

]]> 30329fdb23ee57298bec80b996cb4147 SandraL replied to the topic Hi newbie investments info reqd + negative gearing in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401113-hi-newbie-investments-info-reqd-negative-gearing/#post-4631341 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:29:30 +0000 A property manager is not going to be 2-3%. It is more likely to be 5 – 7% of your gross rent depending on where the property is located. The letting fee is usually 1 to 2 weeks rent, plus advertising costs.  

]]> 0a65ba98a4af5c4d357973180b674eaf SandraL replied to the topic IO v PI loan explanation in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401304-io-v-pi-loan-explanation/#post-4632523 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 06:14:40 +0000 Hi grantos_champos,in a nutshell, an IO loan gives you more flexibility. You can still make extra payments and pay down your principal, but you don't have to, like you do on a PI loan.

]]> dc6346c60978fcacb8a07c613a83b1c3 SandraL replied to the topic Sub-dividing and then selling the individual blocks in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401319-sub-dividing-and-then-selling-the-individual-blocks/#post-4632623 Mon, 27 Sep 2010 05:35:28 +0000 Hi Cathy,you really need to talk to the Council to work out how long sub-diving would take, how much it would cost and if 4 or 5 blocks is even feasible. Every council has different requirements in terms of minimum block size, how much of a block has to be put aside for the driveway (for your battle axe block) and any other requirements they have…[Read more]

]]> 1d99c32d939f0fed1407139ee376bd5b SandraL replied to the topic viability of reno for a Unit (as opposed to a house)??? in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401107-viability-of-reno-for-a-unit-as-opposed-to-a-house/#post-4631280 Fri, 10 Sep 2010 04:53:07 +0000 Hi,there are many things to consider here. I have done both in the past.It is easier to overcapitalise on a house, because a unit is more limited in what you can do. Also, remember that even if you fully renovate a unit, it is still a unit in an old block. Getting an entire block rendered and painted is a huge project and it can take many years…[Read more]

]]> 326b255bc45d0dc28ab852f5089bd9ef SandraL replied to the topic Land tax for unit? in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400828-land-tax-for-unit/#post-4629581 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 04:08:53 +0000 Hi Reginald,in NSW, there is land tax payable on units if the land you own across all your properties in NSW exceeds a certain value. The tax payable per unit is calculated based on the land the block is on and depends on many factors. For example, I know of a case where  two blocks were located in the Estern Suburbs of Sydney. One block had 7 u…[Read more]

]]> 6222320e8be998799638ce405d3d6a2c SandraL replied to the topic deposit when first signing a contract in the forum Hi Karen, It depends on the https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401057-deposit-when-first-signing-a-contract/#post-4630965 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:50:56 +0000 Hi Karen,It depends on the state the property is located in. If it's in NSW and a contract was signed without any 'subject to' clauses, then the seller keeps the deposit if the buyer doesn't settle. 

]]> 14724204cf5251f7de42a7e9837ecbe2 SandraL replied to the topic Has anyone bought an IP without inspected it in person?? in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4401091-has-anyone-bought-an-ip-without-inspected-it-in-person/#post-4631207 Sun, 05 Sep 2010 03:37:25 +0000 Hi buymore,I have also once bought an IP interstate and wanted to do it before the end of the financial year for tax reasons, and couldn't get there in person because of work committments, so I bought unseen. I've had no issues with it and was actually pleasantly surprised when I went to see it a year later. However, that was in a small town in a…[Read more]

]]> ce6d96baf6376c8dc5d6c6db6ae5083b SandraL replied to the topic Harry Dent predicts USA property to drop another 30% in the forum General Property https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400209-harry-dent-predicts-usa-property-to-drop-another-30/#post-4625878 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 05:35:14 +0000 Thanks, wealth4life, for sharing Dent's views. I'm tempted to subscribe, will have a look at it.

]]> 5cd6de5c2a567f10b8433d70e3822839 SandraL replied to the topic MINING TOWNS in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4397633-mining-towns-5/#post-4610780 Fri, 18 Jun 2010 02:17:20 +0000 Miccalady,investing in a mining town can be very lucrative, if you get the timing absolutely right. One of our customers bought in Roxby Downs a few years ago when property prices and rental yields were going through the roof. The rent went up another 25% over the next two years (in between tenants), her property went up by about 30% and it l…[Read more]

]]> 23451765b0b1503d25255e517fabb2cf SandraL replied to the topic How to use Equity on my PPOR to fund IP with different lender in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400197-how-to-use-equity-on-my-ppor-to-fund-ip-with-different-lender/#post-4625803 Mon, 14 Jun 2010 10:02:26 +0000 amsaini15 wrote:

SandraL wrote:
Amsaini,I think you should be able to set up an LOC with your existing lender (MyRate) to access the equity on your PPOR. This then becomes the deposit for your IP. You can then take out a new loan for your IP with CBA or whoever you like. The interest on the LOC will be tax-deductible, since its purpose is the…[Read more]

]]> eaad28244afb4f9ef300aa71c50569ef SandraL replied to the topic Harry Dent predicts USA property to drop another 30% in the forum Hi Wealth4life,I am https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400209-harry-dent-predicts-usa-property-to-drop-another-30/#post-4625870 Sat, 12 Jun 2010 06:51:32 +0000 Hi Wealth4life,I am currently reading HS Dent's book, The Great Depression Ahead'. Interesting theories, especially given that the book was written a few years ago. What else is he saying about the stockmarkets at the moment?Thanks,

]]> 486e838db48115f050f1c9461e5c8d9a SandraL replied to the topic How to use Equity on my PPOR to fund IP with different lender in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400197-how-to-use-equity-on-my-ppor-to-fund-ip-with-different-lender/#post-4625795 Fri, 11 Jun 2010 06:03:17 +0000 Amsaini,I think you should be able to set up an LOC with your existing lender (MyRate) to access the equity on your PPOR. This then becomes the deposit for your IP. You can then take out a new loan for your IP with CBA or whoever you like. The interest on the LOC will be tax-deductible, since its purpose is the IP. So a pretty good outcome if you…[Read more]

]]> 77b0700f96788a5acecaffc903b5d7a7 SandraL replied to the topic Spa or Bath in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400116-spa-or-bath/#post-4625403 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:28:48 +0000 Ladybird,I think Fredo is right. It might be worth the extra expense if you were selling the townhouses. If you are renting them out, however, then a spa bath is just another item that can malfunction and be costly to be repaired.

]]> 01b4d5e489379401d69ee8ccf1954704 SandraL replied to the topic Townhouse or Unit? in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400161-townhouse-or-unit-2/#post-4625589 Thu, 10 Jun 2010 05:21:44 +0000 Propertymistro,a townhouse would generally have a higher land value as part of its valuation than a unit. So the disadvantage would be a higher land tax (all other things being equal). The advantage, of course, is that if it's in a high growth area, the townhouse should go up more than the unit.

]]> c87eba3f78d75bfabd2debbc146d32a9 SandraL replied to the topic If I use a top up loan to pay down my PPOR from my IP property, will it be tax deductable? in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400164-if-i-use-a-top-up-loan-to-pay-down-my-ppor-from-my-ip-property-will-it-be-tax-deductable/#post-4625607 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 07:36:39 +0000 Zeable,as Terryw pointed out, if you borrow against your IP to pay down a loan on your PPOR, the interest is definitely not tax deductable. What counts is the purpose of the borrowing, which is to reduce your PPOR loan. The best thing you could do is pay down your PPOR loan as quickly as possible with any surplus funds you have, rather than p…[Read more]

]]> 6ff424d7442d59ae9ffef637fc9c9b7e SandraL replied to the topic Equity release in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400154-equity-release/#post-4625565 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:54:37 +0000 Hi FrugalOne,as Richard pointed out, the bank will usually do their own valuation, so you paying for one won't really help you. What you could do is to get a few appraisals from RE agents, take the average, take 10% off (because this will be a market appraisal, and will be about 10% higher than the bank val) and see if you still have an LVR below…[Read more]

]]> 028890601051e56b0499fd19a5fe7920 SandraL replied to the topic A block of units being built a few streets away from a potentiol ip i want to buy. good or bad ? in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400149-a-block-of-units-being-built-a-few-streets-away-from-a-potentiol-ip-i-want-to-buy-good-or-bad/#post-4625551 Mon, 07 Jun 2010 01:20:40 +0000 Marshes,as is usually the case, the answer is 'it depends'. If the proposed unit blocks were 'luxury apartments', meaning of a highers standard than the existing, presumably older properties in the area, then that could lift values. I have seen this happening in the area where I live. Three new unit/townhouse developments in the street, RE agents…[Read more]

]]> e4b4eda6a8bc0dd7f8979efce1832049 SandraL replied to the topic Selling Privately in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400130-selling-privately-3/#post-4625456 Thu, 03 Jun 2010 10:32:32 +0000 Hi Jezzah234,we offer listings on domain.com.au and realestate.com.au at a very competitive price to landlords like yourself who don't want to go through a traditional agent.The brochures and a sign are definitely worth doing. If you have a good idea about the market for similar properties, then you shouldn't have any problems selling privately, a…[Read more]

]]> 9d1de7ee4841e852d1735cf411a48816 SandraL replied to the topic Cost of adding a bedroom in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400027-cost-of-adding-a-bedroom/#post-4624876 Wed, 02 Jun 2010 01:37:51 +0000 Adding a bedroom will be at least $10k, however it should in most cases increase the value of the house by a lot more than that. Adding a bathroom depends on a number of factors. Is there any existing plumbing that can be used? I have previously converted an exising laundry into a bathroom, and it cost me about $10k incl. tiling, toilet, bath,…[Read more]

]]> 130c73582ba7f22d6d79464e76ee6ad3 SandraL replied to the topic Opinions on purchasing hotel apartments in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400097-opinions-on-purchasing-hotel-apartments/#post-4625319 Tue, 01 Jun 2010 02:08:44 +0000 Pleiades,the main issue you will find with this type of IP is that the banks aren't keen on them, so you will face difficulties in borrowing. Either your LVR will be lower than for a straigh-forward IP, or your interest rate higher, or a combination of both. The yield looks very attractive, but given that only investors will buy them, your…[Read more]

]]> 63c417fec14297d8589cc1096edad241 SandraL replied to the topic Block of 4- first timer! in the forum Creative Investing https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4399977-block-of-4-first-timer/#post-4624670 Mon, 31 May 2010 04:17:13 +0000 If you go ahead with this, then think about increasing the yield by being innovative. One thing you could consider is putting in some laundromats (coin-operated) in one of the common basement areas. You could also install vending machines in the same room. I've heard of a case where the landlord made the equivalent of one unit's rent from…[Read more]

]]> 61cc1fff301daabfd226f0c47e94cd06 SandraL replied to the topic Renovating - Profits in low median suburbs? in the forum Value Adding https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4399954-renovating-profits-in-low-median-suburbs/#post-4624604 Sun, 30 May 2010 06:30:03 +0000 Mav,whilst it is a very valid question you ask, maybe more important is your financial situation. You have to look at how much you can borrow and still have cash reserves for a reno project. If all you can raise is let's say $300k, then the lower end of the market is all you can do. Don't forget to factor in that you will need existing cash…[Read more]

]]> 91abf2f0fef1a1030d540e29a7aa0a27 SandraL replied to the topic Suggestions needed??? What is the best option? in the forum gp808, as number9 had https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400004-suggestions-needed-what-is-the-best-option/#post-4624784 Tue, 25 May 2010 06:13:33 +0000 gp808,as number9 had pointed out, there are many options open to you, as you and your Mum have a lof equity available.The worst thing you could probably do is sell the family home, buy a smaller one, and spend the surplus funds (which will be tempting once they are in your bank account).There are many questions you need to ask yourself before you…[Read more]

]]> a6c0521d92bd3f6a478171044ac9b3bb SandraL replied to the topic Interest Only Loans versus Principle + Intterest Loans? in the forum Help Needed! https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4400031-interest-only-loans-versus-principle-intterest-loans/#post-4624908 Tue, 25 May 2010 04:46:00 +0000 Interest Only loans give you more flexibility. A lot of people don't understand this, but you can pay down the principal on a  I/O loan just as easily as on a Principal + Interest loan, but you don't have to, that is the big difference. If you have spare cash, you can make extra repayments, but it is entirely up to you. Whereas on a Principal + In…[Read more]

]]> f4f9060a4d534bbe13463fdd7aa0c5e1 SandraL replied to the topic Self Managing House Sale in the forum Elle, I would definitely https://www.propertyinvesting.com/topic/4399395-self-managing-house-sale/#post-4621211 Sun, 18 Apr 2010 07:02:26 +0000 Elle,I would definitely recommend advertising this on-line to interstate investors. We at Landordschoice offer listings on realestate.com.au and domain.com.au for landlords like yourself. I would also recommend getting rental appraisals for both shop and unit. Definitely explain in the ad why the shop has been vacant, as that would be a …[Read more]

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